These Terms & Conditions govern your use of the AquaHaus website and your purchase of products, aquarium equipment, corals and livestock from AquaHaus. Please read them carefully before placing an order.
1. About AquaHaus
This website is operated by DobixHub (Pty) Ltd, trading as AquaHaus, a company registered in the Republic of South Africa.
- Registration number: 2026/442847/07
- VAT registered: No
- Email: hello@theaquahaus.co.za
- Website: theaquahaus.co.za
- Governing law: Republic of South Africa
References to “AquaHaus”, “we”, “us” or “our” mean DobixHub (Pty) Ltd trading as AquaHaus.
2. Acceptance of these terms
By accessing or using this website, creating an account, placing an order or purchasing products from AquaHaus, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions, together with any applicable product-specific policies published on our website. If you don't agree with these terms, please don't use the site or place an order.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to limit, exclude or waive any right, remedy, warranty or protection that a consumer has under South African law where that right cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.
3. Products
AquaHaus sells marine and freshwater aquarium products, including aquarium equipment and accessories, 3D-printed aquarium accessories, corals, designer clownfish, other marine and freshwater fish, invertebrates, clean-up crew, aquarium additives, chemicals and aquarium food. Products may be sourced from third-party manufacturers and suppliers, bred or propagated by AquaHaus, or sourced and quarantined by AquaHaus before sale. We reserve the right to update product availability, specifications, photographs, descriptions and pricing where reasonably necessary.
4. Aquarium products & 3D-printed accessories
4.1 3D-printed products
Our 3D-printed products are manufactured to order in PETG. Customers may be able to select available options such as colour, size and design, depending on the particular product. Because these products are individually manufactured rather than mass-produced, minor variations in colour, surface texture, layer lines, finish and dimensions may occur. Such variations are normal characteristics of 3D printing and do not automatically constitute defects.
Product photographs, renders and illustrations are intended to show the general appearance and intended use of a product. Minor visual differences between photographs and the supplied product may occur.
4.2 Custom-made products
Where a product is made to the customer's specifications, selected from custom options, or otherwise specifically manufactured for that customer, cancellation and change-of-mind rights may be affected by applicable South African law. Nothing in this clause removes any statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded.
4.3 Use of aquarium products
Customers are responsible for ensuring that products are suitable for their particular aquarium, livestock, water parameters, equipment and intended application. Products must be installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and any instructions supplied by AquaHaus.
5. Corals & livestock
5.1 General
AquaHaus sells live corals, fish and aquatic livestock, including livestock bred by AquaHaus and livestock sourced from other suppliers. Live animals and corals are inherently subject to biological variation. Size, shape, colour, growth pattern, temperament and condition may vary.
5.2 Coral photography
AquaHaus uses photographs of actual corals and livestock wherever reasonably possible. Aquarium lighting, particularly blue and actinic lighting, can significantly affect perceived colour. The appearance of a coral or animal may therefore differ under the customer's aquarium lighting. Water chemistry, lighting, flow, acclimation, tank maturity and other environmental conditions can also affect the appearance and health of corals and livestock after arrival.
5.3 WYSIWYG listings
Where a coral is specifically identified as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), the photograph represents the particular specimen being offered, subject to normal changes that may occur between photography, packing and delivery. Unless expressly stated to be WYSIWYG, a listing photograph represents the general specimen being offered and does not necessarily represent the exact individual animal or coral supplied.
5.4 Coral growth and condition
Corals are living organisms and may change in appearance, size, colour, shape or condition between listing, sale and delivery. Minor tissue recession, colour changes, slime production, polyp closure or other temporary responses associated with handling and transport may occur and do not necessarily indicate that a coral is dead or defective.
5.5 Quarantine and biosecurity
AquaHaus maintains quarantine and biosecurity procedures appropriate to the livestock we sell. Our quarantine period is generally at least seven (7) days, where applicable. Quarantine reduces, but cannot completely eliminate, the risk of pests, parasites, pathogens, hitchhikers or other organisms being introduced into an aquarium. Customers are strongly encouraged to inspect, dip and quarantine all newly acquired livestock and corals before introducing them into an established aquarium. AquaHaus cannot guarantee that livestock or corals are completely free from pests, parasites, pathogens or hitchhikers.
6. Prices & payment
All prices are displayed in South African Rand (ZAR). AquaHaus is not currently VAT registered, so VAT is not added to displayed prices. Prices may change from time to time. The price applicable to an order is the price displayed and accepted at checkout, subject to correction of obvious pricing errors.
Payments are processed through PayFast or another approved payment service provider made available by AquaHaus. An order is not considered confirmed until successful payment has been received and the order has been accepted by AquaHaus.
AquaHaus reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to cancel and refund an order where:
- a product is no longer available;
- an obvious pricing or listing error has occurred;
- payment cannot be successfully verified;
- fraudulent or suspicious activity is reasonably suspected; or
- circumstances outside our reasonable control prevent fulfilment.
Where AquaHaus is unable to fulfil a paid order because the product is unavailable, the amount paid for that unavailable product will be refunded in full.
7. Order cancellations
Once an order has been placed and payment has been successfully received, customers may not cancel the order merely because they've changed their mind, except where a cancellation or cooling-off right applies under applicable South African law.
Under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA), consumers who purchase goods online generally have the right to cancel the transaction within seven (7) business days of receiving the goods, without reason or penalty, subject to certain statutory exceptions. This right does not apply to goods manufactured to the consumer's specifications or clearly personalised for the consumer, which includes AquaHaus's 3D-printed products, each of which is made to order once purchased. Where this cooling-off right does apply (for example, to non-made-to-order hardware or accessories), the product must be returned unused and in its original condition as described in section 11.2 below, and the customer is responsible for return shipping costs unless otherwise required by law.
Where an order contains live livestock, preparation, packing and dispatch may begin shortly after payment is received. Customers should therefore ensure that all order details, delivery information and product selections are correct before completing checkout.
8. Shipping & delivery
Detailed delivery arrangements, dispatch days and livestock shipping requirements are set out in our Shipping & Delivery page.
8.1 Delivery areas
AquaHaus delivers nationwide within South Africa, subject to courier service availability.
8.2 Courier
AquaHaus currently uses The Courier Guy for deliveries.
8.3 Shipping costs
Shipping costs are payable by the customer unless a specific promotion states otherwise.
8.4 Dispatch days
For non-livestock products, orders are generally dispatched Monday to Friday. Live corals and livestock are dispatched Monday to Wednesday only, subject to suitable weather, courier conditions and other circumstances affecting animal welfare.
8.5 Livestock shipping
Livestock must be sent using an appropriate express/overnight courier service. AquaHaus may delay dispatch where weather, extreme temperatures, courier disruption, political unrest, civil unrest, strikes, road closures, natural disasters or other circumstances create an unreasonable risk to livestock or delivery. Where AquaHaus delays dispatch for these reasons, the customer will be notified and the order will be dispatched at the next reasonably suitable opportunity.
9. Customer delivery responsibilities
Customers purchasing livestock are responsible for being available to receive the shipment promptly on the agreed delivery date. Customers must provide a complete and accurate delivery address and valid contact details.
AquaHaus is not responsible for delays, deterioration or livestock loss arising from:
- an incorrect or incomplete delivery address;
- failure to answer the courier;
- failure to accept delivery;
- refusal of delivery;
- failure to be available at the delivery address;
- customer-requested delivery changes;
- failure to purchase or use a recommended heat pack where applicable; or
- other circumstances attributable to the customer.
Such circumstances may also invalidate the AquaHaus DOA policy.
10. Dead-on-arrival (DOA) policy
AquaHaus provides a limited DOA policy for eligible live corals and livestock, once Corals go live on the site. The full requirements are set out below in our Live Coral & Livestock DOA Policy, which forms part of these Terms & Conditions.
- A DOA claim must be submitted within two (2) hours of the courier's recorded delivery time.
- Customers must provide clear photographs and video evidence as reasonably requested by AquaHaus.
- DOA protection does not apply where the customer's actions or omissions materially contributed to the death or deterioration of the livestock, including incorrect address details, failure to accept delivery promptly, refusal of delivery, or failure to purchase a required heat pack where one is recommended or required for the shipment.
Where a DOA claim is verified, AquaHaus will work with the customer to agree on an appropriate remedy. Where no alternative remedy can reasonably be agreed on, the default remedy will be a refund of the affected livestock and the original shipping cost, subject to applicable law.
11. Returns, refunds & consumer rights
11.1 Live corals and livestock
Due to the nature of live animals and corals, and the associated animal welfare and biosecurity considerations, AquaHaus does not accept ordinary change-of-mind returns of live corals or livestock after dispatch. This does not exclude any consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded. Verified DOA claims are handled under the AquaHaus DOA policy above.
11.2 Hardware and accessories
For standard aquarium hardware and accessories, AquaHaus accepts eligible change-of-mind returns where permitted by applicable South African law and subject to the applicable statutory requirements. Unless otherwise required by law, change-of-mind returns must be unused, undamaged and in their original condition and packaging, with all accessories and components included. Return shipping costs for an eligible change-of-mind return are payable by the customer unless otherwise required by law. Opened, used, damaged or altered products may not qualify for a change-of-mind return.
11.3 Defective, damaged or incorrect products
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions limits the consumer's rights in respect of defective, unsafe, damaged or incorrectly supplied goods under applicable South African law. Customers should notify AquaHaus as soon as reasonably possible after discovering a problem and provide the order number, a description of the issue and appropriate photographs or video evidence where relevant.
11.4 3D-printed products
3D-printed products are manufactured to order. Minor variations associated with the 3D-printing process do not automatically constitute defects. AquaHaus does not provide an additional voluntary warranty beyond any rights and remedies that apply under South African law.
12. Aquarium risk & product use
Marine and freshwater aquarium keeping involves inherent biological, chemical, electrical and environmental risks. AquaHaus cannot control the customer's aquarium conditions, including water chemistry, temperature, salinity, lighting, filtration, flow, acclimation, biological compatibility, dosing, maintenance or equipment installation. Customers are responsible for researching and following appropriate care, acclimation, installation and maintenance procedures.
Aquarium additives and chemicals sold by AquaHaus are commercially manufactured products supplied in accordance with the manufacturer's packaging and instructions. Customers must read and follow all manufacturer instructions, warnings and dosage recommendations.
AquaHaus is not responsible for losses caused by misuse, incorrect installation, failure to follow instructions, inappropriate dosing, incompatible livestock, unsuitable aquarium conditions or other circumstances outside AquaHaus's reasonable control, subject always to any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
13. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, AquaHaus will not be responsible for losses that arise solely from circumstances outside our reasonable control or from the customer's misuse, alteration, incorrect installation or failure to follow applicable instructions. This includes, where applicable, losses arising from aquarium conditions, livestock incompatibility, incorrect dosing, unsuitable water parameters, inadequate acclimation or customer modifications.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability, rights, warranties or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under South African law.
14. Force majeure & unforeseeable events
AquaHaus will not be responsible for delays or inability to fulfil an order caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, extreme temperatures, flooding, fire, natural disasters, courier disruptions, strikes, road closures, political unrest, civil unrest, riots, public disorder, power outages, internet or telecommunications failures, government restrictions or other comparable events. Where reasonably possible, AquaHaus will notify affected customers and take reasonable steps to fulfil or reschedule affected orders.
15. Intellectual property
All AquaHaus branding, logos, website text, original product designs, digital 3D models, CAD files and other proprietary design materials are the intellectual property of DobixHub (Pty) Ltd or are used under appropriate permission. Our 3D designs and digital models may not be copied, modified, commercially reproduced, resold, redistributed, uploaded, shared as digital files or used for unauthorised 3D printing without our prior written permission.
AquaHaus does not object to customers sharing AquaHaus product and coral photographs for personal or social-media purposes, provided that such sharing does not falsely imply endorsement, ownership or affiliation and does not involve unauthorised commercial use of AquaHaus branding or proprietary designs.
16. Privacy & personal information
AquaHaus processes personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and our Privacy Policy. Personal information may be collected and processed for purposes including order processing, payment processing, delivery, customer service, fraud prevention, account administration and other lawful business purposes. Where necessary to fulfil an order, relevant customer information may be shared with third-party service providers such as payment processors and courier companies. AquaHaus does not sell customer personal information.
17. Complaints
Customers may contact AquaHaus regarding complaints, returns, damaged products, incorrect orders or other concerns by email at hello@theaquahaus.co.za. We'll endeavour to investigate and resolve complaints fairly and within a reasonable time.
18. Changes to these terms
AquaHaus may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time. The version applicable to an order will generally be the version published and applicable when the order was placed, subject to any mandatory changes required by law.
19. Governing law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute will be dealt with in accordance with applicable South African law and the jurisdiction of the appropriate South African courts or other legally available dispute-resolution mechanisms.
20. Contact
DobixHub (Pty) Ltd t/a AquaHaus
Email: hello@theaquahaus.co.za
Company registration: 2026/442847/07
VAT registered: No